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drakaina16's reviews
2013 reviews
Psychedelica Satanica by Sybil Oxblood-Pope
Did not finish book. Stopped at 33%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 33%.
This book is not very well-written and - though I realize it's an ARC copy - is in dire need of editing. Tons of misspelled words and awful grammar.
Ghostshow Live! by Christopher Degni
challenging
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Thank you to Ruth Anna Evans for providing a review copy.
This is a quick and nasty debut novella, full of disturbing imagery. I used to love watching ghost hunting shows, so it was also a fun bit of nostalgia for their heyday. Christopher Degni manages to pack a whole lot into a small package, and the book is very well-written. I'm looking forward to seeing what else he has up his sleeve in the future. 4 stars
This is a quick and nasty debut novella, full of disturbing imagery. I used to love watching ghost hunting shows, so it was also a fun bit of nostalgia for their heyday. Christopher Degni manages to pack a whole lot into a small package, and the book is very well-written. I'm looking forward to seeing what else he has up his sleeve in the future. 4 stars
Ruin Road by Lamar Giles
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a review copy.
It would be easy to write this book off as another "deal with the devil Needless Things ripoff." This deal with the metaphorical devil is handled in a unique and interesting way. The ripples that happen because of the main character's inadvertent wish were so interesting. This book has a lot of heavy themes, but is short on violence until the very end. This would be a great choice for a middle or high school classroom library. 4.25 stars
It would be easy to write this book off as another "deal with the devil Needless Things ripoff." This deal with the metaphorical devil is handled in a unique and interesting way. The ripples that happen because of the main character's inadvertent wish were so interesting. This book has a lot of heavy themes, but is short on violence until the very end. This would be a great choice for a middle or high school classroom library. 4.25 stars
Shadow Apocalypse: A Blood-Drenched Extreme Horror Tale of Post-Apocalypse Ireland by B.C. Hollywood, B.C. Hollywood
dark
tense
fast-paced
4.0
This is a short and brutal post-apocalyptic splatter novel. It was tons of fun, and never seemed to go where I thought it would, always keeping me guessing. The characters are very interesting, and though I didn't necessarily want to like them, I ended up liking them a lot. I definitely plan on reading the rest of the series. 4 stars
A Sunny Place for Shady People: Stories by Mariana Enríquez
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a review copy.
Mariana Enriquez is one of those authors I had always meant to read and just never quite got around to it. When I got the chance to read her new collection, I jumped at the chance. It was everything I hoped it would be. The writing is beautiful, and there are horrors both supernatural and all too real, body horror and mythological terrors. I'll definitely be seeking out the rest of her works. 4.5 stars
My Sad Dead ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A Sunny Place For Shady People ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Face of Disgrace ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Julie ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Night Birds ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Metamorphosis ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Hyena Hymns ⭐⭐⭐.5
Different Colors Made of Tears ⭐⭐⭐⭐.75
The Suffering Woman ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
The Refrigerator Cemetery ⭐⭐⭐
A Local Artist ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Black Eyes ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Mariana Enriquez is one of those authors I had always meant to read and just never quite got around to it. When I got the chance to read her new collection, I jumped at the chance. It was everything I hoped it would be. The writing is beautiful, and there are horrors both supernatural and all too real, body horror and mythological terrors. I'll definitely be seeking out the rest of her works. 4.5 stars
My Sad Dead ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A Sunny Place For Shady People ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Face of Disgrace ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Julie ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Night Birds ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Metamorphosis ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Hyena Hymns ⭐⭐⭐.5
Different Colors Made of Tears ⭐⭐⭐⭐.75
The Suffering Woman ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
The Refrigerator Cemetery ⭐⭐⭐
A Local Artist ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Black Eyes ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Dearest by Jacquie Walters
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a review copy.
Dearest will be achingly familiar to those who suffered from post-partum depression. This book put me through the wringer, y'all. After my daughter was born, I almost lost my battle with PPD. Thankfully, I was able to get the help I needed in time. This book describes the trials of a new mother in such honest, unflinching detail. To say too much would invite spoilers, so I will say the book ended up going a whole different direction than I expected. This is a book I could definitely see myself purchasing and reading again. 5 stars
Dearest will be achingly familiar to those who suffered from post-partum depression. This book put me through the wringer, y'all. After my daughter was born, I almost lost my battle with PPD. Thankfully, I was able to get the help I needed in time. This book describes the trials of a new mother in such honest, unflinching detail. To say too much would invite spoilers, so I will say the book ended up going a whole different direction than I expected. This is a book I could definitely see myself purchasing and reading again. 5 stars
Seven Rabbits by Timothy King
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I had seen this book making the rounds in Books of Horror for awhile now. I love a good slasher (which was my impression of it at the time), so I decided to pick it up from KU. I'm really glad I did. Seven Rabbits is a slasher, yes, but it's also revenge story with anti-heroes that I really rooted for. There are some heavy triggers here, so consider this your warning.
Timothy King has written is, for better or worse, a very cinematic writer. I was pulled into the story immediately and had no problem picturing it in my head. There is a very large cast, and I had trouble keeping some of the characters straight. I am willing to admit that might be a me problem, though. 4.25 stars
Timothy King has written is, for better or worse, a very cinematic writer. I was pulled into the story immediately and had no problem picturing it in my head. There is a very large cast, and I had trouble keeping some of the characters straight. I am willing to admit that might be a me problem, though. 4.25 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Torture
Evil in Me by Brom
Did not finish book. Stopped at 35%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 35%.
I found the main character absolutely insufferable
It Eats Your Hunger by Joseph Murnane
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Thank you to the author for providing a review copy.
I'm sitting on my bed, having just finished the book, and my mind is completely blown. The fact that this book is a debut is astounding. Joseph Murnane is a tremendous writer.
I'm about to get real personal here. 9 years ago, I was a heroin addict - I almost died, I went to jail, I almost lost everything. This book picked that scab a bit. But the bleeding felt GOOD, felt like a reminder of what I'll never go back to. Murnane's ability to humanize and make you empathize with the characters is extraordinary. This book is a beautifully rendered gut punch. Strong 5 stars
I'm sitting on my bed, having just finished the book, and my mind is completely blown. The fact that this book is a debut is astounding. Joseph Murnane is a tremendous writer.
I'm about to get real personal here. 9 years ago, I was a heroin addict - I almost died, I went to jail, I almost lost everything. This book picked that scab a bit. But the bleeding felt GOOD, felt like a reminder of what I'll never go back to. Murnane's ability to humanize and make you empathize with the characters is extraordinary. This book is a beautifully rendered gut punch. Strong 5 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty
Red Inside by Bridgett Nelson
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
This book was so much fun! It's like reading an awesome B horror movie, complete with tarantulas, body horror, cool kills, and snappy dialogue. As a former tarantula owner myself, I thought the random facts about them scattered throughout the book was a nice touch. It's fast-paced, funny, and gory. 4.5 stars